Public Foundations
Public foundations are grantmaking public charities that gain their funds from a variety of sources, which may include foundations, individuals, corporations, or public entities. Public foundations may engage in fundraising, and may seek broad public financial support. They may or may not have endowments. There is no legal definition of a public foundation, but most dedicate a significant portion of their annual budgets to grantmaking. Most community foundations are also grantmaking public charities.
Since public foundations may be defined in different ways, and there is no official IRS or legal definition of public foundations, it is difficult to arrive at statistics that are fully representative of the field.
Below is everything on our site for public foundations. We strongly recommend that you use the navigation or our search feature to find what you're looking for on our site. Please also visit cof.org/programs-services/public-grantmaking-charities for curated public foundation content.
Policy Brief: Foundation Payout and the COVID-19 Crisis
Summary
Since COVID-19 began its devastating course, philanthropy has stepped up to provide new resources and increased flexibility to those organizations and communities most impacted. As of May 2020, the philanthropic response to COVID-19 in the United States totaled more than $6…
Policy Briefing: Upcoming Legislation Addressing COVID-19's Ongoing Impact
Members View the Recording
The health and economic impact of COVID-19 has continued to ripple through communities across the country and the world. Congress is discussing additional legislation to address some of the challenges faced by workers, businesses, nonprofits, and communities. Hear from…
HR Leaders Peer Exchange: Supporting Staff Through Challenging Times
As organizations continue to respond to the impact of both COVID-19 and the movement for racial justice, HR leaders in philanthropy are being called on to create and hold the space for difficult and essential conversations about anti-racism and racial equity, while also supporting staff members who…
2020 HR Retreat - Working Group
Working Group
Thomas Brewer
Director, Finance & Administration
Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Keralee Clay
Vice President of Operations
Amarillo Area Foundation
Maria Hannon
Sr. Director of Human Resources
The Colorado Health Foundation
Carly Hare…
2020 HR Retreat - Schedule
Schedule
Stay on the lookout for new information and updates to the Retreat schedule.
Wednesday, September 9
4:30-6:00 p.m.
Welcome & Retreat Opening
Igniting a Culture of Wellness from Within with Robyn E. Cross from ABD Insurance and Dr. Cherie C. Hill, Emory University School…
2020 HR Retreat - Registration
Registration
REGISTER NOW
Enter the Retreat
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Registration Rates
Member Rate before July 24, 2020 = $249
Member Rate after July 24, 2020 = $279
Non-member Rate = $349
Nonmember registration opens July 25, 2020
Registration Cancellation
All 2020 HR…
Give2Asia's Response to COVID-19
Give2Asia launched its Coronavirus Response Fund on January 23, 2020 with a focus on China, and has since expanded the effort to serve all 23 countries where Give2Asia works in the Asia Pacific region. We are working with in-country health and aid organizations that have national or sub-national…
Charitable Solicitation Regulation and Other State Fundraising Regulations
Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law:
The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources
This chapter of Mastering Foundation Law reviews what foundation managers need to know about state-level regulations of fundraising: why and how states regulate fundraising; the basic requirements for…
Global Philanthropy Update - June 2020
Over the last few months, our world has permanently changed. The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe, extracting a high toll and exacerbating existing disparities within our globalized world and the places we live. Despite a wane in media attention, the pandemic is still a very real threat…
The Important Role of Global Intermediaries in COVID-19 Response
Fundamentals
COVID-19 has prompted a rapid response from funders to channel funding to organizations across the world. To make this happen efficiently, global intermediaries have stepped up to support individuals, foundations, and corporations in directing support to charitable organizations in Asia & the…
Career Pathways 2020 | Leadership Development Hour
Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. The Council is committed to upholding the program’s core values of community, equity, learning, and development and will continue to ensure participants have a stellar experience.
This leadership…
Career Pathways 2020 | July Leadership Development Hour
Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. The Council is committed to upholding the program’s core values of community, equity, learning, and development and will continue to ensure participants have a stellar experience.
This leadership development…
Career Pathways Alumni | October Community Building Hour
The Council on Foundations’ Career Pathways program (CP) has strengthened and expanded the capacity of philanthropic professionals within the leadership pipeline who are considered, appointed, and retained in senior and executive philanthropic leadership positions.
The Council is committed to…
Washington Snapshot: Anticipated Votes on Legislation in Response to Nation-wide Protests
The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW
World Health Organization: Situation Dashboard
How Philanthropy Can Respond:
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Council on Foundations:
COVID-19 Resource Hub
List of COVID-19 Response Funds
Council's Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide…
We Stand with ABFE
The Council on Foundations joins with other national philanthropy serving organizations to stand in solidarity with ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities in their call for philanthropy to take action on anti-Black racism.
ABFE is the oldest affinity group in the country, borne out…
COVID-19: Support for Mental Health, Bereavement and Grief
With COVID-19 there seem to be more questions than answers, particularly for funders who want to respond effectively and efficiently. The Council is a co-sponsor of the COVID-19 webinar series from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), which brings expert panelists together to address some of…